The Salty, Sweet and Irresistible History of Baseballs Most Famous SnackCandy-coated popcorn, peanuts and a prize? That, and so much more, is what you get with a Cracker JackTeddy BrokawApril/May 2025 A reproduction of a World War II-era package, featuring Sailor Jack and loyal Bingo. AlamyThe questionof Cracker Jacks origin is a sticky one. Some attribute its invention to Frederick Rueckheim, others to Charles Gunther, both German immigrants who migrated to the Midwest and built candy empires from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire. Whoever first hawked the product on the streets of the Windy City, only Rueckheim was able to turn it into an American institution. He began selling molasses-coated popcorn and peanuts to members of the fire relief effort in the early 1870s. Over the next few decades, he capitalized on several innovations to set the treat apart, innovating a unique means of rotating the barrels in which the snack was made, to keep it from clumping together, and using wax-sealed packaging to keep the product fresh. The purchasing public gave their enthusiastic endorsement. One oft-repeated story claims the name originated when an enthusiastic buyer exclaimed, using period slang for something great, Thats a crackerjack! By the early 20th century, demand was so high that the company reportedly required a quarter of the worlds total popcorn supply in order to keep up.Having gotten the snack down to a science, Rueckheim turned his attention to marketing. He trademarked the slogan The More You Eat, the More You Want and introduced mascots Sailor Jack and his dog, Bingo. But nothing compared to the windfall of free publicity provided by the 1908 smash hit Take Me Out to the Ball Game. The song forged a permanent connection between Cracker Jack and baseball, and when prizes began to appear in every box a few years later, they sent Cracker Jacks popularity into the stratosphere.The prizes tell the story of the American century: 1940s prizes were made of paper to conserve metal for the war effort; postwar prizes looked to the skies and the future with jet age and space race themes; and prizes from the 1960s and 70s embraced the counterculture, offering Flower Power pins. But as the century wound down, Cracker Jacks relevance waned, and the company began to phase out physical prizes. By the time it eliminated them altogether in 2016, Cracker Jack had delivered more than 23 billion trinkets around the world.Of course, Cracker Jack remains a ballpark staple, and, in a way, prizes have returned to their roots. While physical goodies are gone, each box still offers a treat in the form of a QR codeone of which whisks users away to a virtual ballfield for an arcade-style home run game. The tech may have changed, but a century later, Cracker Jack is still putting baseball excitement into the hands of young fans.Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine now for just $19.99This article is a selection from the April/May 2025 issue of Smithsonian magazineGet the latest Travel & Culture stories in your inbox.Filed Under: Americana, Baseball, Food, Food History

Researchers found evidence of a ceremonial platform next to theFarley Moor standing stone, which measures roughly 6.5 feet tall. Time TeamAmateur archaeologist George Bird had long been fascinated with an ancient stone standing upright in the woods near his home in England. However, the 24-year-old student had recently started to wonder what other historic treasures the forest might be hiding.His curiosity paid off. Archaeologists have discovered that the stone is part of a larger Bronze Age ceremonial complex that dates back to around 1700 B.C.E.The site, which is located near the town of Matlock in the county of Derbyshire, is more than 3,700 years old.The discovery was featured on a recent episode of Time Team, a popular British archaeology series.New Episode! | The Mystery of the Standing Stone | Time Team X CrewWatch on Its just fantastic now finding out that this has all been confirmed, [that] those peculiar rocks are in fact a larger monument, Bird tellsBBC News Heidi Booth.Measuring roughly 6.5 feet tall, the Farley Moor standing stone was long thought to be an isolated monument. But at Birds insistence, researchers recently explored the area surrounding the stone.They discovered that the stone had been intentionally placed atop a natural spring. Water from the site feeds into Bentley Brook, which flows into the Derwent River. Five other nearby stones were once standing and formed an oval. Time TeamIn addition, they found evidence of a ceremonial platform next to the stone. The platform predates the stone, which suggests continuous ritual use of this site over hundreds of years, strongly linked to the water and the importance it held for Bronze Age communities, says Lawrence Shaw, the lead historic environment advisor for Forestry England, the government agency that manages Englands public forests, in astatement.They also investigated five nearby stones and determined that they, too, used to be standing upright. Together, the stones had once formed an oval measuring roughly 82 feet by 75 feet.We knew that this stone was here, but we had absolutely no idea of the potential for the bigger monument that we ended up discovering, Shaw tells BBC News. As he says in the Time Team episode, Its just a perfect example of what a small, discrete team of experts can do with a specific question. Amateur archaeologist George Bird had a hunch about the site inDerbyshire. Time TeamForestry England protects 1,500 public forests and woods across England, which are home to more than 100,000 archaeological sites and monuments. Now, land managers can add the newly discovered stone circle to that list.The Derbyshire ceremonial site also joins the growing list ofBronze Age stone circles spread across the Peak District in central-northern England. So far, archaeologists have documented 25 stone circles in that part of the country, which highlights the impact of Bronze Age ritual life far beyond headline sites likeStonehenge, saysDerek Pitman, an archaeologist and anthropologist at Englands Bournemouth University, in the statement.Next summer, archaeologists hope to return to study the site in greater detail.Its a dream come true to get to work on such a significant prehistoric monument, Pitman adds.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Archaeology, British History, Cool Finds, Discoveries, England, European History, History, Stonehenge

Crystal Dynamics lays off 17 employees"This step was necessary to better align our current business needs and the studio's future success"Image credit: Crystal Dynamics/The Initiative News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on March 27, 2025 Crystal Dynamics has announced its decision to lay off 17 employees to "better align with [its] current business needs".In a statement shared on social media, the developer clarified that this decision would not affect its "current project plans", which include the Perfect Dark reboot (co-developed with The Initiative) and an untitled Tomb Raider game."We did not make this decision lightly," the statement read. "Ultimately, this step was necessary to better align our current business needs and the studio's future success. It is not a reflection of the dedication or ability of those affected."We recognise how painful this outcome is for those impacted and we are supporting them with transition packages and opportunity outreach."Crystal Dynamics remains committed to pushing the boundaries of making great games. This change does not alter our current project plans."Staff at Crystal Dynamics last faced a round of redundancies in September 2023, when ten people were let go.This came after a major restructuring program at the developer's parent company Embracer, which faced the collapse of a deal believed to be worth $2 billion. The firm also faced more than $1 billion in debt.Crystal Dynamics was acquired by Embracer in 2022.

Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics has laid off 17 employees.The Embracer-owned studio said the layoffs are "not a reflection of the dedication or ability of those affected" but will help the company realign to meet its "current business needs.""We recognize how painful this outcome is for those impacted and we are supporting them with transition packages and opportunity outreach," reads a brief statement shared on Linkedin."Crystal Dynamics remains committed to pushing the boundaries of making great games. This change does not alter our current project plans."It's unclear whether any specific projects or departments have been impacted by the cuts.Crystal Dynamics is currently working on the next entry in the Tomb Raider franchise, which is being built in Unreal Engine 5 and will be published by Amazon Games.It would represent the first major release for the studio since it was acquired by Swedish conglomerate and layoff merchant Embracer Group in 2022.The studio is also co-developing the upcoming Perfect Dark reboot alongside The Initiative.Embracer purchased Crystal Dynamics from Square Enix alongside other studios including Eidos-Montreal, Square Enix Montreal in a deal worth $300 million. It also bought the rights to key franchises like Deus Ex, Thief, and Tomb Raider.Related:After completing that deal, Embracer embarked upon a widespread restructuring program that resulted in mass layoffs, studio closures, notable divestments, and project cancellations.That seemingly included a round of job cuts at Crystal Dynamics in 2023.Game Developer has reached out to Embracer for more information about the latest redundancies.

A few months ago, I was stuffing my face with Christmas cookies and catching up on the season 3 reunion episode of Netflixs The Ultimatum. It was a typical tawdry hour of reality TV. Clout-hungry influencer wannabes dressed to the nines, nursing their bruised egos and rehashing the minutiae of why their relationships crashed out in front of a global audience. Kind of ho-hum, actually. And then, cast member Zaina Sesay roused me from my cookie-induced stupor by upgrading her beef to the 21st century. I have text message proof, she said, smirking while beckoning over C-list celebrity host Nick Lachey with an outstretched thumb. I have a chip on my nail.Cut to the camera zooming in on said microchip. After Lachey scanned it with his phone, a folder neatly titled receipts magically appeared. I switched out the cookies for popcorn. And with that, the studio audience, the whole of TikTok, and this reviewer collectively lost our minds. Never say you cant find inspiration for a gadget review from trashy television.5Verge ScoreJakcom N3 Smart Nail Chip$20$20The GoodCheapDiscreetWorks with Apple ShortcutsThe BadNot hot tub-proofGimmicky for everyday lifeData storage feature never worked for me$20 at JakcomHow we rate and review productsFinding the smart nail chip was easy. Mainly because Sesay helpfully posted a video explaining which chip she bought and how to set it up. The Jakcom N3 Smart Nail Chip comes in sets of five, 10, and 20 priced at about $20, $36, and $60. (The retail price is higher, but in my three months of testing they seem to be perpetually on sale.) The gist is it uses near-field communication (NFC) the same tech that enables contactless payments to transmit data to a phone. The life of a tech journalist isnt as exciting as a reality TV stars. Sure, it involves keeping receipts, but theres no scenario where Im going to raise my chip-embedded thumb to the sky and bellow THE PROOF IS IN THE POLISH! So what could I, a normal person, actually do with a smart nail chip? Its a teeny tiny chip, but sometimes its still too big depending on your nail size or press-ons.For that, lets back up real quick. What is an NFC nail chip? Its a tiny square that slips under or on top of your nail and allows you to tap your phone to do things. Ive used it to send texts discreetly during meetings. While suffering on the NJ transit bus, I used it to order ahead an iced coffee at the Starbucks in the Port Authority South Wing. I may occasionally use it to play the John Cena theme song when I win an argument with my spouse (and to entertain the cats). But for any of this to work, you have to be able to scan the chip quickly, reliably, and without wondering if the chip popped off your nail.Jakcoms default settings let you set up links to social media profiles and contact information, e-commerce shopfronts and payment platforms like eBay, Venmo, PayPal, Amazon, CashApp, and others more popular in Asia like Shopee, Alibaba, and Alipay. Theres also a brief set of functions like writing finger memos (its a browser-based notepad), a daily AI-generated horoscope, and a menstrual cycle calculator. Theoretically, you can use it as a wireless storage device for up to 128GB of data right on the chip, like a thumb drive, but I never got this feature to work.But before I could even figure out the best way to use this chip, I had another problem to solve. Nail polish chips and press-on nails notoriously pop off. How do I attach this thing to my nail and get it to really stick? Each chip comes in a bag with an activation code.Theres adhesive on the back.Stick it on your nail!My nails might be unnaturally curvy since I have a hard time getting it to lay flat.Scanning an NFC nail chip isnt quite as seamless as paying for the subway or items at the store. I quickly learned most people have no clue where their phones NFC antenna is. (At first, I didnt either.) Most iPhone owners, for example, seemed to think it was located near the camera bump. It isnt its right along the top edge of the phone. On Android, it can vary anywhere from the mid-back to the upper top of the phone. This usually meant people would tap their phone to my nail and wed both stand there staring, waiting for something to happen. Most times, this ended with a friend or coworker arching their brow, asking why Id bother doing this when I could just text them the information.After three months of testing, I can now get the chip to scan 95 percent of the time. Learning that required a lot of money, glue, and a zealous commitment to the bit that left me questioning my judgment. As with any manicure, it all boils down to appropriate prep and application. Each chip is a flexible 5mm square thats 0.12 mm thick, including the adhesive backing. Thats about the size of an eraser on an old school No. 2 pencil, and about as thin as a strand of hair. Somehow, this is still sometimes too big and thick to easily apply. Jakcoms instructions present two options for application:Stick the chip on your natural nail and paint regular polish over itSame, but with press-on nails. Somehow, dont get nail glue all over the chip. I tried the former. Maybe my natural nail is unnaturally curvy, but I couldnt get the chip to lay flat. The edges would always lift. To flatten and cover the chip, I needed generous globs of polish. All I had to show for my efforts was a messy, lumpy nail. Hardly chic. Using brush-on glue and a clear top coat worked better, but its not exactly discreet. After my failures, I opted to try the chip with press-ons. You can see my first attempt in these photos, and Im pleased to say it worked. Despite flouting the instructions about conservative glue use, my coworkers and I successfully scanned the chip. You get an NFC notice on your phone like you would with any other tag with instructions to open a link or automatically run an Apple Shortcuts app.This is the optimal nail chip placement. I recommend using longer length press-ons for the best results.In one example, I set up the finger memo feature, a browser-based notepad you can write anything in, that I jokingly wrote Please save my chickens on (I dont have chickens.) It did, however, scan slowly. Unfortunately, this method isnt durable or long-lasting. Even though its only 0.12mm thin, placing the chip under the press-on creates enough space for water to seep in and weaken the glue. It flew off the next day after a shower. I re-glued the nail. That worked until I hopped into a hot tub two days later.The nail was lost. The chip was wrecked. Thus began weeks of trial and error. After dozens of TikTok press-on application tutorials, $50-worth of nail sets, and so much glue, I can now tell you the best placement is the underside edge of a medium-to-long length press-on. (See the photo above.) That allows your nail to stay put and the chip to be easily scanned. If you use several thin layers of brush-on nail glue, you can seal the chip to resist showers, baths, and washing the dishes. I do, however, recommend resealing every few days.After these photos, I learned the NFC antenna actually runs along the top of the iPhone.If you were limited to Jakcoms default programming, Id say this really wasnt worth the effort. But, you can also use the chip as a regular NFC tag. Ive got an iPhone, so I used the Apple Shortcuts app to reprogram the chip to something more useful. (I didnt get to test this on Android, but you might be able to use apps like NFC Tools or Tasker to do something similar.) For instance, I can now program the nail chip to send my spouse an ETA when I leave the office. When Im leaving, I scan my thumb, it opens my texts with my spouse, and starts Apples Check In timer feature. All I have to do is hit send. Alternatively, I could use the default Shortcuts automation to scan the chip and send an Im running late! notification to my scheduled calendar events. I could also use it to input a Starbucks order or open Shazam. The only limit is your creativity and programming prowess. Once the Shortcuts app opened up more possibilities, I felt like James Bond, especially on days when Id wear my Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Id walk in crowded places and no one looking at me would even know my glasses could record them and my manicure hid a tiny chip programmed to start recording conversations when tapped. I never actually used the latter function outside of testing. Its clunky compared to a hidden microphone or recorder. But the point is I could do it if I wanted, and that was both cool and unsettling.Getting these nail chips to work takes a lot of effort. Look at this mess I made!If I were a more dramatic person, I could see myself using this chip in real petty, dystopian ways. Thankfully, Im an Aries with limited patience for real-life drama.This chip only makes sense if you have a use case where discretion or convenience is key, the skill to program it effectively, the patience to test it, and then the confidence to know it will work when needed. The more complicated the task, the more ways you have for this to fail. Some ideas I tried either didnt work because Shortcuts can be finicky, or mid-way through experimenting, I realized its faster to use my phone.Thats the crux of the problem. Its a theatrical, eye-catching gizmo. I felt cool, and a little bit mysterious, wearing one. But for ordinary people living ordinary lives, it requires a disproportionate amount of effort for little payoff. Maybe youll see me at CES next year using this in lieu of a business card. Most likely, Ill leave the dramatic flair to reality TV. Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it contracts that no one actually reads. Its impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit agree to use devices when we review them, since these are agreements most people dont read and definitely cant negotiate.To use the Jakcom N3 Smart Nail Chip, you must pair it with an iPhone or Android smartphone. That includes the phones Terms of Service, privacy policy, and any other permissions you grant.By setting up Jakcom N3 Smart Nail Chip, youre agreeing to:Final Tally: Two mandatory agreementsSee More:

It was only a matter of time. Garmin announced today its launching Garmin Connect Plus, a premium tier to its app that adds AI-powered insights and a few other expanded features. Existing and new Garmin users will be able to opt in to a free 30-day trial and then choose between a $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annual subscription. All existing health data and features, however, will remain free.Developing a premium tier enables us to extend our investment in the Garmin Connect platform, both in terms of features that carry additional cost to provide and also in scaling out our engineering teams to build and maintain these features, says Garmin spokesperson Natalie Miller.AI is the big addition to Connect Plus. The feature, dubbed Active Intelligence, will roll out as a beta and purportedly delivers personalized insights and suggestions based on your health and activity data. Over time, the insights and goals are supposed to become more personalized to the individual user.Thats about all the information Garmin has provided thus far about the AI-powered side of things, but its on trend for fitness apps and wearable makers lately. Whoop was first to add an AI training coach in late 2023, while Strava also rolled out AI summaries for activities last year. Among bigger tech companies, Samsung added AI-powered insights while Google added AI-generated running workouts to its smartwatches last year. Oura also has added an AI wellness chatbot to its popular smart ring, as have several smaller wearable makers in the past two years. Garmin and Apple have thus far been the two major holdouts for wearable AI features, and with todays announcement, that leaves just Apple.Connect Plus also adds a new performance dashboard that lets users compare custom charts and graphs over a period of time to visualize progress. Subscribers will also be able to view live activity metrics on a smartphone for workouts that were started on a watch. LiveTrack will also be expanded so you can notify selected contacts when an activity starts and a personalized profile page for followers. People using Garmin Coach plans for running and cycling will also receive additional guidance from Garmin coaches. Lastly, there will be exclusive badges and frames for users app profiles.Garmin Connect Plus adds a performance dashboard. Technically you already have access to this data. Image: GarminWhether this is enough value to tempt loyal Garmin users is another question especially since Garmin has been vocal in the past about not paywalling features. Back in 2022, I asked Phil McClendon, Garmins project lead for the Venu 2 Plus, about the companys philosophy regarding subscriptions. At the time, McClendon told The Verge, Were not charging you the ability to access your data, and thats something we will continue to do and that we feel very strongly about. McClendon is no longer at Garmin, and technically this is still true since all existing features and data will remain free. However, in the years since that conversation, Garmin has occasionally softened its messaging regarding paywalls. At a 2023 press briefing for the Venu 3, Garmin leadership noted that the company had robust subscriptions outside its fitness tracker business but declined to say that there would never be a subscription.Among fans, the lack of a subscription (outside of mapping features or LTE connectivity) has always been touted as a plus. Especially since Garmin watches are, on average, more expensive than the competition. Its hard to say how fans will react given that so much will remain free, but generally speaking, introducing subscriptions is a dicey proposition. Oura, for instance, experienced massive backlash when it introduced a subscription with its Gen 3 ring.Either way, Garmin has faced increased competition these past years. Both Apple and Samsung launched rugged outdoors smartwatches of their own, while Coros has emerged as another popular brand among athletes with long battery life and advanced GPS. At the same time, Garmins wearables division isnt exactly suffering. It recently surpassed expectations for its Q4 earnings, reporting a large 31 percent increase in fitness tracker sales and its stock hitting record highs. See More:

What is preppy style? Well, theres only one definitive source you can reference time and time again: the 1980 classic book, The Official Preppy Handbook. If it must be pinned down, the look is English-American with a dash of seaside resort and womens handicraft. Its where the Chippendale secretary meets the needlepoint-covered brick doorstop, authors Lisa Birnbach, Jonathan Roberts, Carol McD. Wallace, and Mason Wiley write. And while the style has evolved and changed over the decades, the core tenents called out in the book have not: classic, handsome, patina, and mothers.So, then, what is preppy style with a little country flair (our personal favorite take on the look)? Theres less of an emphasis on perfection, plenty of timeworn charm, and more of a celebration of the classic and beloved elementspreferably handed down through the generations!that bring a room together. Think clean paint colors, happy stripes and checks, and a slew of brown furniture. Its somewhere between grandmillennial and coastal grandmother and, as a born-and-bred Southerner, this style is right up my alley! Below, find some of the top preppy elements for you to peruse in-between browsing the latest offerings at Tuckernuck or Draper James. Love Preppy Style? Check Out More Decorating Ideas:1Pick Pine PiecesRead McKendreePreppy design is full of antique furniture. While glossy mahogany might seem like the natural choice, pretty scrubbed pine takes preppy in a more humble direction, especially when paired with soft colors. 2When in Doubt, Add a SkirtLaurey W. GlennTheres really no space a skirted sink doesnt work. From laundry rooms to kitchens to powder rooms, these simple fabric panels provide low-effort upgrades at an equally low cost.RELATED: Our Hall-of-Fame Galley Kitchen IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Stick To ScallopsKerry KirkNothing says preppy style quite like a good scalloped accent. In this blue-and-white powder room, touches of brass and a woven basket for extra linens add to the preppy appeal. RELATED: These Design Ideas For Half-Baths Exude Classic Charm4Feel Out FringeLaurey W. GlennYes, fringe! Theres nothing quite as preppy grandmillennial as a good fringe, especially if its bullion or jute. This simple cream fringe is just the right finishing touch for the skirted table in this entry from designer Whitney McGregor. RELATED: Give Your Guests the Warmest Welcome with These Entryway Decorating IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Go All-In On GinghamRead McKendree for Country LivingGingham has long been a go-to pattern for preppy interiors. Whether its a big splashy moment like this sofa or a smaller accent layered in via pillows or blankets (or even a lampshade!), gingham is the perfect happy pattern thatwe thinkcan act like a solid. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: 90+ Living Room Ideas Youll Love for All Styles of Homes6Show Some Team SpiritBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingThis doesnt mean you suddenly have to veer into varsity decor throughout your house, but there is something undeniably chic about subtle varsity accents, especially in a kids room or den. RELATED: That Vintage College Pendant Might Be Worth More than You ThinkAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Go for GlossLaurey W. GlennIll let you in on a little designer secret: an unexpected glossy paint finish can totally transform and elevate a room. The subtle gloss finish on the cabinetry in this multi-purpose mudroom by designer Lizzie Cox bridges the spaces workhorse purpose and more ladylike feel. RELATED: Why Every Gardener Should Have a Bloom Room8Pick the Perfect WhiteRead McKendreeNothing feels as fresh as crisp white walls. In this breakfast nook-meets-living room designed by Max Sinsteden, a cheery bright white sets the tone for more classic blue-and-white accents and rattan and wood furniture, while a preppy-approved chintz chair peeks in from the corner. Get the Look:White Paint Color: Seapearl by Benjamin MooreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Embrace the Upper Crusty AestheticGridley and Graves for Country LivingPreppy doesnt have to mean pristine. In fact, old school prep was anything but! Think worn L.L. Bean tote bags, perfectly patinaed wood walls, and a casual elegance that only comes from prioritizing timeless comfort. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Upper Crusty Design 10Try a Pair of Twin BedsBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew Gleason for Country LivingLaden down with happy patterns, a pair of classic wood twin beds, preferably with four posters and detailed woodwork, is a great addition to any prepsters guest room. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Designers Weigh In On the Best Way to Use Color in a Country HouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Prioritize Built-InsStacy Zarin GoldbergBuilt-ins ooze traditional style, no matter what room theyre in. In this airy blue-and-white kitchen, the built-in cabinetry serves as a passageway from the kitchen through the butlers pantry to the family room. Fill the shelves with your familys hand-me-down china for the ultimate preppy display. TOUR THIS HOUSE12Make a Nod to NauticalJackie Greaney and Paul Havel for Country LivingNothing is quite as classic or effortlessly chic as a good coastal-inspired room. Stick to crusty antiques over newly made pieces to really hammer home that colllected-over-time preppy feel.RELATED: These Beach House Decorating Ideas Will Make Waves in Any HouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Layer Pattern on PatternRead McKendreeTake a mix-and-match approach to patterns for a leveled-up preppy feel. In this bedroom designed by Stephanie Woodmansee, stripes, florals, and geometric prints combine for a complete look. RELATED: Our Favorite Bedroom Decorating Ideas of All Time14Mix Wicker and RattanDonna DotanOn the porch, wicker and rattan furniture is a preppy-must, adn the same can be said for inside spaces as well. In designer Ariel Okins colorful sunroom, these classic materials get a punchy update thanks to green upholstery. RELATED: The Best Screened-In Porch Ideas for SpringAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Paint Your FloorsBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingCheckered floors have been around for ages, but its the preppy grandmillennials we have to thank for their recent resurgence. TOUR THIS KITCHENRELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Painting Your Floors 16Accent with Cane Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingClassic caning can elevate almost any space. In this bedroom, accent panels on the headboard and a DIYed lampshade blend a preppy mainstay with contemporary cottagecore. RELATED: Heres Everything You Wanted to Know About CottagecoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Choose Classic SilhouettesStacy Zarin GoldbergWhen in doubt, pick furnishings that feel timeless. In this living room designed by Cameron Ruppert, a traditional English roll-arm sofa elevates its cozy seating area. RELATED: The Top 20 Types of Sofas and How to Choose the Right One for Your Room18Bet on Blue and WhiteAlec Hemer for Country LivingIts hard to beat a classic color combo, especially one as timeless as blue and white. In this butlers pantry, charming blue beadboard is the star while simple white accents complete the traditional palette. RELATED: These Are The Best Blue Paint Colors, According to DesignersAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Bring Out Your Brown FurnitureHector M. Sanchez for Country LivingBrown furniture is a staple of traditional design, which means its a staple of preppy style. Dark wood furniture has gotten a bad rap over recent years but as traditional design makes its way back into our collective design consciousness, so has beautiful brown furniture. RELATED: Brown Furniture is Trending Again! Heres How to Incorporate It Into Your Home. 20Take a Chance on Block PrintRead McKendree for Country LivingIn recent years, the block print aesthetic has been co-opted by preppy pattern-lovers. Its classic motifs feel fresh in new, exciting color combinations, such as in the yellow-and-white bedroom by designer Marynn Udvarhelyi. RELATED: 35+ Guest Bedroom Ideas to Create a Cozy and Welcoming SpaceAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything youve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When shes not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.

In the summer of 2018, a devastating fire tore through Greeces Attica region. In its aftermath, four scientists from the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London including two Greeks set out to answer a simple yet crucial question: why did some houses burn while others were left untouched?That question set off years of research into computer simulations for predicting wildfire risk and behaviour. In December 2023, the scientists founded Pinepeak to bring their idea out of the lab and into the market.Pinepeaks wildfire prediction technology combines machine learning algorithms trained on satellite data with cutting-edge physics-based modelling originally developed for jet engine research at the University of Cambridge.Just as turbulence and air movement dictate how fuel ignites in an engine, they also play a crucial role in the spread of wildfires. By modelling the chaotic nature of wildfire spread and how it interacts with other factors like terrain and weather, Pinepeak can arrive at more accurate forecasts.Get TicketsCatastrophic wildfires are escalating due to climate change, but current risk assessment methods fall short of predicting how fires interact with their environment and spread from an ignition point towards communities, Dr Savvas Gkantonas, CEO and co-founder of Pinepeak, told TNW.Pinepeak COO and co-founder Dr Daniel Fredrich (left) and CEO and co-founder Dr Savvas Gkantonas. Credit: PinepeakPinepeaks algorithms forecast the probability that a wildfire will occur with up to 90% accuracy. They also predict how fires will spread where they will go, what they will impact, and when all that might occur. The tool can do all this at an extremely high granularity, delivering wildfire risk forecasts down to the level of an individual home located anywhere in the world.Gkantonas said that this kind of intelligence is highly valuable to everyone from property insurers to national governments and firefighters.Now, Pinepeak is looking to scale up. The startup has just been admitted to an accelerator that might enable it to do just that.Turning wildfire predictions into a successful startupPinepeak is one of eight startups to have been picked for the University of Cambridges second START Accelerator programme. Alongside a 40,000 upfront investment, the accelerator gives startups like Pinepeak access to mentorship from proven investors and founders.Gkantonas said the programme is helping accelerate our growth by connecting us with early customers, domain experts, and seed investors, enabling us to grow faster and smarter. Last month, the company also nabbed $322,000 (250,000) in pre-seed funding.Other startups in the cohort include Podromic, which uses AI to predict dementia, and Trismik, which provides testing solutions for large language models (LLMs).The startups are well located for success. Cambridge is the worlds third most valuable deep tech hub, only below Boston (Harvard, MIT, and Boston University) and the Bay Area, according to Dealroom data.Last years START Accelerator saw 11 companies participate, including lithium-sodium battery startup Molyon, which recently raised $4.6mn (3.5mn), as we previously reported. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

A new algorithm has improved the ability of quantum computers to model new materials and chemicals by a factor of 10. Thats according to its developer, UK startup Phasecraft.The Bristol- and London-based company describes the breakthrough as the largest single leap in quantum simulations to date moving us a step closer to real-world quantum applications.Quantum computers improve on classical simulations by accurately modelling complex quantum behaviours like the ever-changing interactions between molecules or the evolution of materials over time that are too difficult for classical computers to simulate efficiently. This could lead to technological leaps in various fields, from energy to manufacturing and medicine. For example, quantum computers could simulate materials in a battery far more accurately than ever before, enabling scientists to design materials that store energy more efficiently, last longer, and charge faster.View the SpeakersCurrently, quantum computers are not yet fast enough to make those world-changing calculations. Phasecrafts new algorithm, called THRIFT, promises to accelerate the process. By optimising quantum simulation, THRIFT enables scientists to model new materials and chemicals faster and more accurately, even on todays slow machines.In tests, THRIFT improved simulation estimates for a key benchmark in quantum physics the one-dimensional transverse-field Ising model by a factor of 10. The advance enables simulations that are 10 times larger and can run 10 times longer than those produced by standard methods. The findings were published in Nature Communications today.Weve managed to show a 10x increase on todays machines, and wed expect this to only get better as the hardware advances and quantum computers become better at tolerating errors and handling more complex calculations, Raul Santos, Phasecrafts lead quantum scientist, told TNW.The future of quantum simulationsIn the last year or so, the obscure world of quantum computing has emerged from the lab and entered the public domain fuelled by Big Techs recent progress in quantum processors. In the past few months alone, Google launched a chip called Willow, Microsoft unveiled Majorana, and Amazon revealed Ocelot.Advances in quantum computing are only good news for Phasecraft. This algorithm enhances efficiency on near-term devices, like those Google and Microsoft have announced, said Santos. Any improvements in their performance can only enhance our approach.Rather than waiting for years or even decades for quantum hardware to mature sufficiently, Phasecraft is redesigning algorithms to work on todays imperfect quantum machines.Phasecraft was founded in 2019 by professors Ashley Montanaro (CEO), Toby Cubitt (CTO), and John Morton (director). The company spun out of the University of Bristol and UCL. The startup, which has raised over $20mn to date, works with leading quantum hardware companies, including Google, IBM, and QuEra. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

TSMCs first US chip plant took significantly longer to build and begin production than was forecast, but the company says that future plants will proceed at a significantly faster pace. This will enable US-made chips for somewhat newer Apple devices.But former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger is dismissive of the initiative, suggesting that it will be of little help in enabling the US to be a global player in the chip business Made in America Apple chipsRegular readers will be familiar with the story so far. Apple first announced its planfor Made in America chips back in 2022, with the news hailed as one of the success stories of the US CHIPS Act. The initiative will see a series of TSMC chipmaking plants built in Arizona, with some of the production reserved for Apple chips for older devices.The project has been beset with delays and uncertainties. Mass production at the first plant was due to start last year andwas then pushed backto this year. Questions were raisedabout the promised US jobs, with many employees recruited from Taiwan, and the company even being accused of anti-American discrimination.Skepticism was also voiced about the recent announcement of an additional $100B investment.The timeframe problem will be solved, says TSMCThe first TSMC plant is only capable of making larger process chips used in older Apple devices. This includes the A16 chip first developed for the iPhone 14 Pro, which is no longer made, and the base model iPhone 15 models, which are still available from Apple but likely sell in small volumes.If it takes years to bring a new US plant online, that would mean US-made Apple chips would forever be relegated to significantly older devices.However, Nikkei Asia reports that TSMC has promised investors that the sluggish pace seen with the development of its first US plant will not be repeated. While that first plant took five years to build and open, the company says that future US plants will take no more than two.That will see a 3nm plant brought online in 2028, and a 2nm one before 2030. The US plants will still lag behind the cutting-edge ones in Taiwan, meaning they will never make chips for the latest Apple products, but will at least close the gap.Given that TSMCs advanced chipmaking capabilities far outstripped those of US rival Intel, its no surprise that the two companies havent exactly been best buddies. After Apple made the switch from Intel Macs to Apple Silicon ones, the US chipmaker insisted it could catch up or even win back the business.Even after being forced out of the company for failing to deliver, ex-CEO Pat Gelsinger remains dismissive of TSMCs US plants. The Financial Times reports him saying it will do little to advance US chipmaking.If you dont have R&D in the US, you will not have semiconductor leadership in the US, Gelsinger said. All of the R&D work of TSMC is in Taiwan, and they havent made any announcements to move that.Given that TSMC sees its home base in Taiwan as key to protecting the secrecy of its most advanced tech, its exceedingly unlikely the company would ever move any significant R&D work to the US.Highlighted accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel